How to Lay an Unmortared Low Brick Wall

Measure and mark the area in which you intend to install the brick wall. Lay a measuring tape flat on the ground along the desired length of the wall and use a can of spray paint or sprinkle colored chalk along the measuring tape to designate the position of the wall.

Dig out a trench just a little wider than the concrete bricks you intend to use along the length of the wall to a depth of about 8 inches. Fill the trench halfway with crushed gravel and compact it with a hand tamper. Check the gravel with a level and make adjustments as necessary until the surface is completely level all the way along the length of the wall.

Lay your first corner concrete brick inside the trench and slide it as close to the wall of the trench as possible. Install the next brick, a standard brick, right next to the first, so the edges are flush and the interlocking portions of the brick fit together properly. Lightly tap the outside of the second brick with a rubber mallet to ensure that it fits snugly against the first.

Continue to lay standard concrete bricks in the trench along the entire length of the wall, and end with another corner brick. Use your level to ensure that the wall remains level as you go along. If necessary, use your rubber mallet to tap down bricks that are too high, or sprinkle some sand beneath the bricks that are too low.

Cut several of your corner bricks in half using a wet saw. If you don't have a wet saw, take the bricks to your local hardware store and have them cut for a per-item fee.

Apply a moderate amount of masonry adhesive to the top of the first few bricks in the first row. Lay the second row of bricks on top, beginning with one of the halved corner bricks, and continue with standard bricks. Press the bricks gently into the adhesive after you have ensured that they're level.

Spread more adhesive on top of the rest of the bricks in the first row and continue laying bricks. The bricks in the second row should be approximately centered over the joint between the two bricks below. Finish the row with another half corner brick, trimming some of the other bricks to fit if necessary.

Follow the same procedure to build the brick wall up to the desired height. Alternate between starting your rows with a whole or half corner brick, and use the level to ensure that each new row remains level.

Install a row of capstones as the final row on your low brick wall by applying a bead of masonry adhesive to the top of the last row of bricks and pressing the capstones into the adhesive to create a seal.

Allow the adhesive to dry undisturbed for 48 to 72 hours.